Has any one ever Neurosplained you?

Dawn said:

I kind of think that as a community we have been developing our own lexicon for a bit - 'neurodivergent' for example and so many more people preferring person first language, or otherwise taking charge of the discourse by using terms like 'non-speaking' rather than 'non-verbal', because so many autistic people in fact have very many 'verbs' they use eloquently in written language even if they never utter them orally.

Exactly! We almost have our own language in the autistic and wider neurodivergent community. Do you mean so many people preferring identity first language?

I much prefer the term non speaking as it literally describes autistic people who do not use mouth words whereas the word ‘verbal’ actually refers to using language generally.

 I would like to see more non speaking/apraxic autistic autistic people in advocacy as I think they are an unrepresented group. Having said that many of our neurokin on this forum maybe non speaking or semi speaking at times. I only experience this under extreme stress (shutdown). Many non speaking autistic people have limited access to alternative means of communication and therefore do not get the opportunity at an early age to eloquently express their thoughts, intelligence and experiences.

Dawn said:

Another little tool for us to take charge of our own discourse.

I concur! You are a great advocate for our autistic community!

Dawn said:

I don't take it to heart.  It's just born of ignorance.  He assumes nobody can actively enjoy being autistic and clearly has never heard of the social model of disability.  It does rather inspire me to get into the training game though... they just need educating.

It’s good that you are not offended by these situations. I love being autistic, it’s brilliant! It’s why I am part of this amazing, passionate and determined autistic community. Your doctor works at the core of the medical model though so probably doesn’t see the need for the social model of disability or Luke Beardon.

Training is a great idea! You would be brilliant, you are so passionate and knowledgeable about autistic experience and medical/healthcare issues. I would love to work in the advocacy/training sector too but I think that is a future ambition.

Here is a company that could support you with your training ambitions:

https://ndconnection.co.uk/

ND Connection is an autistic led organisation that I have just started blogging for! Very exciting!

It provides training for hospitals, schools and social care about improving sensory environments for autistics (amongst other things).

You could get in contact with them, I just filled out the form on the website.

Good luck!

I'm hoping it's going to be a rewarding experience for me and the kids. I've learnt a lot about autism from everyone here and I can use that to help kids if they need it and maybe even correct a few adults as a lot of people don't seem to fully understand autism.

Indeed, kids autistic kids are going to learn best from an autistic teacher.  And you will be uniquely positioned to help other staff understand their needs and explain what's going on should one them shut down or meltdown.

Yeah a lot of it is related to how much you've been told and what you've read. I like that there's autism awareness weeks now..

I work in childcare at a nursery and one of the reasons I was hired was because I have autism. The lady liked that and said it would be good for someone like that to be there for the children especially if a child has autism or other disabilities.

How about other examples of neurosplaining other than the doctor one?

For instance..."Oh, you're autistic, you'll be good at IT then"?  

Any one think of other such irritations?

I'm sorry to hear that.  I guess some parents don't want to think of their child as anything less than perfect and just don't get that autism isn't an imperfection. 

I have had the odd "suffer from autism" which I can forgive as it seems genuine ignorance.

When my mum (who knows of my diagnosis) still thinks it can be treated and 'get better' then I'm a bit more stuck. I've tried absolutely everything to convey the important points.

To be kind to the neurosplainers, I guess, before I knew that I am autistic I bought into the sterotypes that society pumps at me too.  IE that autistic people are generally Rainman or Sheldon and it isn't something you'd want your children to "have".

I was only ignorant because that was the only information presented to me.  We can change that :-).  I'll start chanting like a mantra to rehearse:  "I know you mean well, but please don't neurosplain me".

I'm sorry you've had this happen to you. Doctors can be very unsympathetic and patronizing.

I've not had it recently but when I saw my doctor a few years ago to do with anxiety and autistic problems she recommended CBT and said she felt sorry for me that I was autistic. I felt bad after that.

I like your word for this by the way

Yes I certainly will be.

Dawn said:

My doctor neurosplains me every time he tells me I "suffer with autism".  Or tells me he regrets that "he cannot cure my autism".

My doctor is exactly the same 

I like the term neurosplain and might start using it.

I don't take it to heart.  It's just born of ignorance.  He assumes nobody can actively enjoy being autistic and clearly has never heard of the social model of disability.  It does rather inspire me to get into the training game though... they just need educating.

I kind of think that as a community we have been developing our own lexicon for a bit - 'neurodivergent' for example and so many more people preferring person first language, or otherwise taking charge of the discourse by using terms like 'non-speaking' rather than 'non-verbal', because so many autistic people in fact have very many 'verbs' they use eloquently in written language even if they never utter them orally.

But neurosplaining caught my eye today, and I liked it.  Another little tool for us to take charge of our own discourse.

Dawn said:

My doctor neurosplains me every time he tells me I "suffer with autism".  Or tells me he regrets that "he cannot cure my autism".

Hi Dawn.

I have not experienced ‘neurosplaining’ (I really like the new word by the way!). We could create our own autistic/neurodivergent culture dictionary!

I am so sorry you have had this experience with your doctor , you deserve to be openly proud of your autistic identity not pitied or pathologised!